Normally I save posts with regards to multiple summits of the same peak, but I used a very different route this time. Made a loop of the Piedra Lisa, Crest Trail, and La Luz. Very good hike/scramble. Well worth it for someone looking for a challenge.

with crutches and an ankle compressionboot (and a rental car)Date Climbed: May 28, 2014

I had planned to hike Wheeler Peak on this trip to New Mexico, but due to a recently sprained ankle I had to change my itinerary, so I settled for Sandia Crest via the road. My wife was with me and she enjoyed the mode of travel used to get to the top.

Flew out to ABQ from DAL to do this hike. What a gorgeous trail. Started at the lower tram and connected to La Luz Trail from there. Ended up with about 11.5 miles and 5000 feet of total elevation gain. Fun FUN day!!

Finally decided to hike this bad boy after having lived in ABQ for over five years. I just don't get too motivated to hike a peak when there's a road and tram to the top. Notwithstanding it is a great hike. Those granite walls are amazing up close. Started at lower tram parking area and took connector trail to the La Luz.

After staring at it for year, finally made the logistics work out to spend a day doing an honest climb of this peak. Ran the La Luz trail with only a handful of other people. RT moving time 6:15. A gorgeous, sunny late spring day.

Had a group of teens in Gallup and heard I had to hit this mountain. Unfortunately ended up just riding the tram up and never hit the actual summit. Bummer for me but enjoyable for everyone else in the group. The tram ride was interesting and the views were beautiful. Next time I will be hiking it and going the whole way to the top. I wasn't even aware of all the interesting climbing near here. Overall though glad to see another different portion of God's creation.

Flew in to Albuquerque for 3-day trip to bag Wheeler. Had first afternoon free, so took the tram up and strolled to the highest point in the Sandias for acclimatization. Decidedly anticlimactic, but nice views of the desert nonetheless.

Hiked from Tramway to La Luz to South Crest Trail Spur to Tramway. The day was perfect, there was a heavy haze minimizing the sun effect and a decent breeze to keep us cool. Be aware there is two feet of snow in places in the boulder field.

And I concur with what was said before beautiful views in every direction.

I've summitted Sandia Peak many times, from the base of the Tram, from La Luz, climbing the Shield, from Tree Spring on the east side. I learned all the "secret" shortcuts too, eventually. Wonderful peak, and at over 4,000 feet of prominence, one of this country's best.

Was I successful? I reached the summit, but all hiking trails except Foothills were closed due to fire danger effective this a.m. :-( I snuck one short hike in before learning this, but was only able to hike paved trails and the road.